Age no barrier for Martin

AUTO RACING

AUTO RACING

March 07, 2009

Mark Martin claimed the top spot at Atlanta Motor Speedway, making him the second-oldest pole winner in NASCAR Cup history. The 50-year-old Martin turned a lap of 187.045 mph for Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500, earning his 42nd career pole but first since May 5, 2001, at Richmond. Only Harry Gant, who was 54 when he claimed the pole in August 1994 at Bristol, was older than Martin. Kurt Busch will start from the outside of the front row after a lap of 186.365. South Bend's Ryan Newman missed out in a bid for his eighth career pole at Atlanta Motor Speedway, remaining tied with Buddy Baker for the most in track history. Newman qualified 12th in his Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet, just behind his team owner, Tony Stewart. David Stremme, also of South Bend, will start 28th.